University City District (UCD) holds two editions of the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll each year as part of our signature series of summer events. In 2025, the Dollar Stroll will return on the evenings of Thursday, June 5th and Thursday, September 4th. The event draws thousands of neighbors and visitors to enjoy dollar deals from participating vendors. In 2022, we expanded the price levels vendors can offer from $1 deals to deals for $1, $3, OR $5. The Dollar Stroll serves as an opportunity for local businesses and community vendors to sell food, beverages, and merchandise and earn valuable exposure in the process.
Any brick and mortar business located along Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 52nd is welcome to apply to vend at The Dollar Stroll. UCD is here to assist any businesses interested in selling food or beverages outside their stores who must obtain proper event-specific licensing.
Community food vendors and community merchandise vendors are invited to apply to join us as official vendors for the Stroll. The purpose of selecting official vendors is to ensure all vendors are in compliance with various City agencies, including the Philadelphia Health Department and the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspection (L&I). We also include all selected vendors in our marketing materials, including on our Dollar Stroll web collateral and in printed maps handed out the evening of each Dollar Stroll event.
Only vendors selected by University City District and approved by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Special Events will be able to operate at this event. All others without prior approval will not be able to vend during the event, and vendors who set up without being named an approved participant are in danger of being shut down by License and Inspections or the Philadelphia Department of Health. Only vendors in good standing with the Department of Revenue will be considered, per the permitting requirements of the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. Priority will be given to vendors based within the 5 zip codes of West Philadelphia (19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, or 19151). Previous vending at the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Strolls does not guarantee your spot.
There are multiple ways to participate in the Dollar Stroll:
- Businesses with storefronts along Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 52nd can sign up to sell $1, $3, or $5 items by becoming official participant
- Community vendors with all necessary licensing and permits can sell $1, $3, or $5 items as approved community vendors; UCD can offer assistance obtaining permitting if necessary
- Community groups and non-profits can sign up to table at the Dollar Stroll to hand out information or free items with written approval from UCD
- Businesses can come on as sponsors with a suite of options including tabling, logo placement on advertising, and more opportunities
To get involved in the Dollar Stroll, please contact Margaret Leidy Starke, Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships, at margaret@universitycity.org. The deadline to apply for the June 5th, 2025 Dollar Stroll is Monday, April 21st, 2025.